'Watch' out for new streaming service from du and OSN

Dubai - Wavo to offer free exclusive access to subscribers until December 31

Du subscribers have something to 'watch' out for: OSN's brand-new streaming service.
The two companies on Wednesday announced that du subscribers will be given exclusive access to OSN's Wavo mobile entertainment app, which differentiates itself from other platforms by combining the best of streaming content, video-on-demand, box sets and live channels.
The new agreement also marks 10 years of partnership between du and OSN.
"This partnership is not something new; OSN is no stranger to us, having worked with them for the past decade," Osman Sultan, chief executive officer of du, said at a Press conference at the du pavilion at Gitex Technology Week 2017.
"There is something common with both of us. we are companies that are in an industry that needs to transform, he added. "We are realising that users are consuming TV content in a totally different manner. we acknowledge immediately that we are sharing the same values on how we can get TV content to our customers."
Wavo also capitalises on some of OSN's most exclusive partnerships with leading content providers, including Disney and HBO. This would give the region's subscribers unprecedented access to some of the best shows from around the world. The service will be available at no additional cost until December 31. It gives users access to several channels, including 14 for general entertainment, five for movies and six for sports, available in bundles or separate packs.
Martin Stewart, chief executive officer of OSN, told Khaleej Times that both OSN and du are keeping an eye on the market in order to determine any other new offerings they could add to Wavo.
"Wavo will continue to develop; we're updating our software every two weeks, we add new features and change little bits and pieces," he said."We'll add more content over time. This is going to be one of our main - if not our main - products moving forward, so we'll be seeing a lot more from it in the future." After the free-of-cost period, Wavo will be offered with an "attractive price".
"What du has smartly done is that we're giving all its customers a chance to experience Wavo," Stewart said.
"Once they've experienced and used it, they'll be happy to sign up and they will want to continue."
"They will want it," Sultan added. On 4K offerings, the CEOs said that the proper ecosystem needs to be in place to create a hassle-free experience."It needs to be based on a sound, financially-healthy ecosystem," Sultan stressed. "We're doing what we have to do."
"It's a question of making sure that there's enough content available to make the channels and services viable," Stewart added. "We have it on our roadmap for 2018."
- alvin@khaleejtimes.com